Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management 20 S. Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33412 (561) 712-6400 Fax: (561) 712-6464 www.pbcgov.com Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Addie L. Greene, Chairperson Jeff Koons, Vice Chair Karen T. Marcus Mary McCarty Burt Aaronson Jess R. Santamaria County Administrator Robert Weisman Special Care Unit or Special Needs Shelter Information Letter: In the event that Palm Beach County is threatened by a hurricane, the normal environment of a hurricane shelter does not lend itself to the proper care of citizens that have medical problems. With the support of area hospitals, the Health Department and Red Cross, we have developed a Special Program. Prior to the arrival of a hurricane, citizens who meet the specific medical criteria may be taken to one of two centrally located facilities where they will be under the medical supervision of physicians and registered nurses. Admittance to these facilities may be restricted to the following: 1. Persons who cannot be without electricity because they depend upon their own electrically energized life support equipment within the home; i.e. oxygen, nebulizers, c-pap, bi-pap, etc. 2. Persons that are too immobile and/or have a chronic stable illness but are not suitable for regular shelter placement or do not require hospitalization. 3. People with minor health/medical conditions that require professional observation, assessment and maintenance. 4. People with the need for medications and/or vital sign monitoring and are unable to do so without professional assistance 5. Persons who are bedridden and require custodial care. Caregivers must accompany their patients. All persons not meeting the above criteria will be referred to a Red Cross shelter. If you do not meet the criteria and live in an evacuation zone or mobile home park and are disabled with no other type of transportation you may register with Palm Tran at 561-649-9838. They will transport you to a Red Cross Shelter at no charge. An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer We will try to assist anyone who needs transportation to the best of our ability. We need to know, however, if you are transportation dependent We also need to know about your care during day to day activities. It is very important that we know what level of care you require. If you are receiving care from an agency or caregiver, you will need that same type of care at the shelter. If possible, please make arrangements for someone to come to the shelter with you, so that they can assist you during your stay.
We do provide you with three meals and two snacks a day, if you are on a special diet please bring that food with you. We are attaching a supply list with this application, if you have any questions about this list be sure to call us and we will give you the assistance that you need. Please be selective with what you bring, our facility is designed to accommodate people that need medical care, so please be considerate of that and not bring items that require electricity or space. Only bring the things that you need most. Bedding is provided for you, and only for the caregiver if there are extra beds available after all of the patients have checked in. So be sure that your caretaker or companion has their own bedding, including an air mattress or portable cot. Let us know if you need assistance with your pets, we now have a pet friendly shelter in Palm Beach County and may be able to assist you with those preparations. Please make sure that you have considered all of your options before settling on a shelter. There are many ways to protect yourself during a disaster. Make your home a safe place by preparing ahead of time, having shutters, water, perishable food items and knowing multiple routes out of the area if an evacuation is needed. Be prepared by stocking up on supplies throughout the year, keeping medications updated and filled. There is always information regarding Disaster Preparedness in your local grocery stores. If you are on oxygen, always make sure that your supplier knows where you are in the event that you may need extra oxygen cylinders. Talk to your physician about staying home, different ways to keep your medication cool, if refrigeration is needed. Be sure to always let your family know about your Hurricane Plan and were you will be. Check with your office or clubhouse; if you have one and find out what they may have planned. If you live above the first floor, try to make arrangements with a neighbor or friend that may live on the first floor. A shelter is safe, but there is no place like home. If you have any other questions about Hurricane Preparedness, please do not hesitate by calling me at the number below. Sincerely, Sally Waite EMS Manager Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management Office: 561-712-6400
PALM BEACH COUNTY SPECIAL NEEDS APPLICATION PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN THE APPLICATION WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN. Name Address City APT# Zip Code: Phone #: Age: DOB: Sex: Weight If you live in a mobile home park, condominium, or apartment, indicate the name, address, and telephone number # of the complex: Do you have a Caregiver? (circle one) Yes or No If yes, does your caregiver have special needs? Please explain: Does your caregiver need special accommodations? (circle one) Yes or No If yes, please explain: Please list the name and phone number of a relative, neighbor, or an emergency contact: DO YOU NEED ASSISTANCE IN THE FOLLOWING: (check those that apply) Using the restroom Taking your medication Feeding yourself Walking greater than 50 feet Getting in or out of bed **If you checked any of the above, you may need a caretaker with you in the shelter. DISABILITY: (check those that apply) Visually Impaired Hearing Impaired Mobility Bedridden **If you checked any of the above, you may need a caretaker with you in the shelter. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: (Check those that apply): Walker Cane Electric Scooter Feeding Tube IV equipment Dialysis How many times a week Which Dialysis Center do you use Have you discussed your emergency treatment plan with your Dialysis Center? **If you checked any of the above, you may need a caretaker with you in the shelter.
ELECTRIC DEPENDENT: (Check those that apply): Oxygen Nebulizer C-Pap Bi-Pap Oxygen supplier and phone # TRANSPORTATION: (Check the one that applies): You will provide your own transportation Or You will need transportation: Palm Tran Bus Service Stretcher type transportation Stretcher type of transportation is only provided if you are unable to transfer into a wheelchair. Please be advised that currently both Special Needs Shelters are located in the West Palm Beach area. If you are unable to drive or have difficulty driving, please check the Need Transportation Option. By choosing that you need transportation, you will be receiving assistance from the bus drivers with supplies that you are required to bring with you to the shelter. You will also receive a call from the bus service giving you an approximate time of your pick-up. If you choose to drive yourself, then you will have the freedom to immediately leave the shelter when the all clear is given. You will not receive a call and will have to watch or listen to media announcements advising the opening of Special Needs Shelters. This is a very important decision, so please take the time to consider it.
STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I have read the Special Needs Program Applicant Information sheet accompanying this request and I understand the limitations on the services and level of care available. I understand that if accepted and space is available, assistance will be provided only for the duration of the emergency, and that alternative arrangements should be made in advance in case I am unable to return to my home. If you are unable to make arrangements, then you will be placed in a facility that can accommodate you medical issues (Assisted living facilities or Nursing Homes) until other options become available. I understand that I may or may not be assigned to the Special Care Unit/Special Needs Shelter based on the criteria stated in the information provided. I grant permission to medical providers and transportation agencies and others, as necessary, to provide care and disclose any information necessary to respond to my needs. I understand that this registration is voluntary and hereby request registration in the Palm Beach County Special Needs Program. I understand registration is updated twice a year. If I do not respond to requests to contact the county, I will be removed from the registration list. I will notify the county of any changes in my address or condition. Person registering for Special Needs or Special Care Unit Program: Print Applicant Name Date Applicant Signature Name of person filling out the application if different than applicant: Signature of person filling out the application if different than applicant: Send completed application and statement to: Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management Special Needs Program 20 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Fl 33415
TO BE COMPLETED BY PHYSICIAN: The following medical criteria is used to evaluate placement eligibility for your patient to be accepted in the Special Care Unit or the Special Needs Shelter. Please complete this form if you think that your patient would benefit from a medical shelter. 1. Persons who cannot be without electricity because they depend upon their own electrically energized life support equipment within the home. i.e.: oxygen, nebulizers, c-pap, bi-pap, etc. 2. Persons that are too immobile and/or have a chronic stable illness but are not suitable for regular shelter placement or do not require hospitalization. 3. People with minor health/medical conditions that require professional observation, assessment and maintenance. 4. People with the need for medications and/or vital sign monitoring and are unable to do so without professional assistance 5. Persons who are bedridden and require custodial care. Caregivers must accompany their patients if they are unable to care for themselves. Diagnosis :( Please print clearly) Allergies: Does your patient depend upon life support equipment within his or her residence? Yes No Is your patient on Dialysis? Yes No How often? Is the patient insulin dependent? Yes No If yes, please discuss other options for cooling and storage of the insulin with your patient. Does your patient need assistance with Activities of Daily Living? If yes, please explain. In your opinion, would your patient require assistance in a shelter environment? Yes No (For example, would your patient need assistance walking greater than 50 feet for bathroom access, getting in and out of a cot which is two feet tall, dosing personal medications, etc?) If Yes, please explain:. Does the patient have any Mental Deficiencies (i.e. Alzheimer s, Dementia)? Yes No Is your patient under Hospice Care? Yes No If Yes, which Hospice organization? List the patient s medications and the dosages: *Physician s name, address, phone & fax # (Please print clearly) Physician s signature: Date: Applicant s Signature: Date: